1
00:00:43,460 --> 00:00:46,420
What defines "deliciousness"?

2
00:00:46,588 --> 00:00:50,966
Taste is tough
to explain, isn't it?

3
00:00:52,302 --> 00:00:54,595
I would see ideas in dreams.

4
00:00:54,763 --> 00:00:59,600
My mind was bursting
with ideas.

5
00:00:59,768 --> 00:01:03,020
I would wake up
in the middle of the night.

6
00:01:03,188 --> 00:01:07,566
In dreams, I would have
visions of sushi.

7
00:02:18,638 --> 00:02:22,558
Once you decide
on your occupation,

8
00:02:22,725 --> 00:02:25,894
you must immerse yourself
in your work.

9
00:02:26,062 --> 00:02:30,691
You have to fall in love
with your work.

10
00:02:30,859 --> 00:02:36,238
Never complain about your job.

11
00:02:36,406 --> 00:02:42,786
You must dedicate your life
to mastering your skill.

12
00:02:42,954 --> 00:02:46,582
That's the secret of success

13
00:02:46,749 --> 00:02:52,713
and is the key to being
regarded honorably.

14
00:03:00,722 --> 00:03:05,184
I have published several
restaurant guidebooks.

15
00:03:05,351 --> 00:03:08,937
I went to every sushi, soba,
tempura, and eel restaurant in Tokyo.

16
00:03:09,105 --> 00:03:11,190
Nobody has eaten more
of these foods than I have.

17
00:03:24,162 --> 00:03:26,413
Out of the hundreds
of restaurants that I ate at,

18
00:03:26,581 --> 00:03:29,541
Jiro's was the best by far.

19
00:03:31,419 --> 00:03:34,004
When I went to Jiro
the first time, I was nervous.

20
00:03:35,757 --> 00:03:38,175
After going for years,
I am still nervous.

21
00:03:50,897 --> 00:03:54,191
Jiro has a very stern look
on his face when he's making sushi.

22
00:03:54,359 --> 00:03:56,401
It's comfortable for people

23
00:03:56,569 --> 00:03:59,112
who like to have sushi
served at a fast pace.

24
00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:03,033
But for people who want
to drink and eat slowly while chatting,

25
00:04:03,201 --> 00:04:05,786
it won't be a comfortable
eating experience.

26
00:04:09,707 --> 00:04:12,626
All of the sushi is simple.
It's completely minimalist.

27
00:04:15,004 --> 00:04:17,965
Master chefs from around the world
eat at Jiro's and say,

28
00:04:18,132 --> 00:04:22,719
"How can something so simple
have so much depth of flavor?"

29
00:04:22,887 --> 00:04:26,598
If you were to sum up
Jiro's sushi in a nutshell...

30
00:04:26,766 --> 00:04:30,394
"Ultimate simplicity
leads to purity."

31
00:04:43,366 --> 00:04:45,826
- Excuse me.
- Yes?

32
00:04:45,994 --> 00:04:47,786
Do you have a pamphlet
for this restaurant?

33
00:04:47,954 --> 00:04:50,664
We don't have pamphlets.
We only have business cards.

34
00:04:50,832 --> 00:04:52,249
Could I have one, please?

35
00:04:52,417 --> 00:04:53,875
May I have one?

36
00:04:55,169 --> 00:04:57,754
I came all the way
from Shizuoka.

37
00:04:57,922 --> 00:04:59,965
Here are a few cards.

38
00:05:00,133 --> 00:05:02,342
- Can I make reservations?
- Reservations are mandatory here.

39
00:05:02,510 --> 00:05:03,927
How early do I need
the reservation?

40
00:05:04,095 --> 00:05:05,429
- One month in advance.
- One month in advance?

41
00:05:05,596 --> 00:05:07,097
Yes.

42
00:05:07,265 --> 00:05:08,682
Since it's February now,

43
00:05:08,850 --> 00:05:11,476
we're taking reservations
for March.

44
00:05:11,644 --> 00:05:13,186
I see.

45
00:05:14,731 --> 00:05:17,607
Reservations can be made
for lunch and dinner?

46
00:05:17,775 --> 00:05:21,111
Yes, for both.
The price starts at 30,000 yen.

47
00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:23,780
- 30,000 yen?
- It starts at 30,000 yen.

48
00:05:23,948 --> 00:05:27,200
- Okay.
- The sushi and prices vary,

49
00:05:27,368 --> 00:05:29,578
depending on what's
available at the market.

50
00:05:29,746 --> 00:05:31,830
- I see.
- So it starts from 30,000 yen.

51
00:05:31,998 --> 00:05:36,543
Can we order drinks
and appetizers to start?

52
00:05:36,711 --> 00:05:39,379
We only serve sushi.
We don't have appetizers.

53
00:05:39,547 --> 00:05:41,131
- Really?
- Yes.

54
00:05:41,299 --> 00:05:42,860
- You don't have any other dishes?
- No.

55
00:05:42,925 --> 00:05:44,009
- Only sushi.
- Yes.

56
00:05:44,177 --> 00:05:46,011
- Okay, thank you.
- Thank you.

57
00:05:52,393 --> 00:05:54,978
For fast eaters, a meal there
might last only 15 minutes.

58
00:05:55,146 --> 00:05:57,981
In that sense, it's the most expensive
restaurant in the world.

59
00:05:58,149 --> 00:06:01,818
But people who eat there are
convinced it's worth the price.

60
00:06:15,708 --> 00:06:19,419
We're not trying
to be exclusive or elite.

61
00:06:19,587 --> 00:06:25,175
The techniques we use
are no big secret.

62
00:06:26,469 --> 00:06:28,261
It's just about
making an effort

63
00:06:28,429 --> 00:06:31,556
and repeating
the same thing every day.

64
00:06:31,724 --> 00:06:37,604
There are some who are born
with a natural gift.

65
00:06:39,190 --> 00:06:43,777
Some have a sensitive palate
and sense of smell.

66
00:06:45,279 --> 00:06:47,614
That's what you call
"natural talent."

67
00:06:47,782 --> 00:06:50,200
In this line of business,

68
00:06:50,368 --> 00:06:53,912
if you take it seriously,
you'll become skilled.

69
00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:57,707
But if you want
to make a mark in the world,

70
00:06:57,875 --> 00:07:00,001
you have to have talent.

71
00:07:00,169 --> 00:07:04,756
The rest depends
on how hard you work.

72
00:07:19,564 --> 00:07:22,607
He repeats the same
routine every day.

73
00:07:22,775 --> 00:07:25,277
He even gets on the train
from the same position.

74
00:07:29,740 --> 00:07:32,868
He has said that
he dislikes holidays.

75
00:07:33,035 --> 00:07:35,036
The holidays are too long for him.

76
00:07:36,581 --> 00:07:38,415
He wants to get back
to work right away.

77
00:07:38,583 --> 00:07:40,333
It's unthinkable
for most people.

78
00:08:16,454 --> 00:08:19,122
Is it good?
Is it too firm?

79
00:08:19,290 --> 00:08:21,124
- Overall it's a little tough.
- Is it?

80
00:08:21,292 --> 00:08:23,376
Probably because it is young.

81
00:08:25,213 --> 00:08:27,130
But the toughness
isn't that bad.

82
00:08:30,134 --> 00:08:33,178
If it doesn't taste good,
you can't serve it.

83
00:08:33,346 --> 00:08:35,722
It has to be better
than last time.

84
00:08:35,890 --> 00:08:38,767
That's why I always taste the food
during preparation.

85
00:09:03,543 --> 00:09:06,461
- It hasn't marinated enough.
- It is a bit fatty.

86
00:09:17,014 --> 00:09:19,266
This doesn't taste
right either.

87
00:09:23,229 --> 00:09:26,398
- How long has this marinated?
- For about five hours.

88
00:09:26,566 --> 00:09:29,609
- Put it back in.
- It needs work.

89
00:09:29,777 --> 00:09:31,236
Let's marinate it
in vinegar a little longer.

90
00:09:31,404 --> 00:09:33,071
My father is right.

91
00:09:33,239 --> 00:09:36,241
- Let's marinate it again.
- Put it in the vinegar again.

92
00:09:36,409 --> 00:09:38,827
Put that one in the vinegar too.

93
00:09:39,954 --> 00:09:43,164
- We'll try it again before serving.
- Okay.

94
00:09:58,556 --> 00:10:02,267
I've seen many chefs
who are self-critical,

95
00:10:02,435 --> 00:10:05,979
but I've never seen another chef
who is so hard on himself.

96
00:10:14,655 --> 00:10:17,157
He sets the standard
for self-discipline.

97
00:10:17,325 --> 00:10:20,327
He is always looking ahead.

98
00:10:20,494 --> 00:10:22,370
He's never satisfied
with his work.

99
00:10:22,538 --> 00:10:24,205
He's always trying to find ways

100
00:10:24,373 --> 00:10:26,499
to make the sushi better
or to improve his skills.

101
00:10:26,667 --> 00:10:29,586
Even now, that's what
he thinks about every day.

102
00:10:35,217 --> 00:10:39,387
A great chef has
the following five attributes.

103
00:10:39,555 --> 00:10:42,849
First, they take their work
very seriously

104
00:10:43,017 --> 00:10:46,478
and consistently perform
on the highest level.

105
00:10:48,522 --> 00:10:53,610
Second, they aspire
to improve their skills.

106
00:10:55,780 --> 00:10:57,280
Third is cleanliness.

107
00:11:02,536 --> 00:11:04,537
If the restaurant
doesn't feel clean,

108
00:11:04,705 --> 00:11:08,083
the food isn't
going to taste good.

109
00:11:08,250 --> 00:11:11,127
The fourth attribute
is impatience.

110
00:11:11,295 --> 00:11:17,342
They are not prone
to collaboration.

111
00:11:17,510 --> 00:11:20,804
They're stubborn and insist
on having things their own way.

112
00:11:22,348 --> 00:11:24,474
What ties these attributes together

113
00:11:24,642 --> 00:11:26,768
is passion.

114
00:11:26,936 --> 00:11:28,812
That's what makes a great chef.

115
00:11:28,979 --> 00:11:32,232
Jiro has all of these attributes.

116
00:11:32,400 --> 00:11:33,942
He's a perfectionist.

117
00:11:38,906 --> 00:11:42,075
The difference between Jiro today
and Jiro 40 years ago

118
00:11:42,243 --> 00:11:44,077
is only that he stopped smoking.

119
00:11:44,245 --> 00:11:46,454
Other than that,
nothing has changed.

120
00:12:07,309 --> 00:12:11,396
When I apprenticed for him,
he wasn't famous yet.

121
00:12:11,564 --> 00:12:17,152
But he always worked
incredibly hard.

122
00:12:18,988 --> 00:12:23,324
He would only take a day off
if it was a national holiday.

123
00:12:24,869 --> 00:12:27,579
The only time
he wasn't at the restaurant

124
00:12:27,747 --> 00:12:32,125
was when there was
an emergency, like a funeral.

125
00:12:32,293 --> 00:12:35,128
But he would still keep
the restaurant open.

126
00:12:35,296 --> 00:12:37,839
I would say to the customers,
"Jiro is at a funeral,

127
00:12:38,007 --> 00:12:41,301
so I will be your chef today."

128
00:12:41,469 --> 00:12:43,928
I've worked hard,
so I have no regrets.

129
00:12:44,096 --> 00:12:45,597
Seriously.

130
00:12:45,765 --> 00:12:47,724
If Jiro has any regrets,
then he's crazy!

131
00:12:49,393 --> 00:12:51,311
I feel sorry for his older son.

132
00:12:51,479 --> 00:12:53,605
He should let
Yoshikazu take over.

133
00:12:53,773 --> 00:12:55,982
Don't you think?

134
00:12:56,150 --> 00:12:58,151
Yoshikazu is already 50.

135
00:12:58,319 --> 00:13:00,737
Yes, he's only
12 years younger than I am.

136
00:13:12,583 --> 00:13:15,293
Yoshikazu,
you probably didn't think

137
00:13:15,461 --> 00:13:18,129
you'd be working
with your father so long.

138
00:13:18,297 --> 00:13:20,256
I thought he was going
to retire long ago.

139
00:13:20,424 --> 00:13:22,926
Everyone thought Jiro might
retire 10 years ago.

140
00:13:23,093 --> 00:13:25,887
He was hospitalized once
when he was 70.

141
00:13:26,055 --> 00:13:29,057
Then the Roppongi Hills
branch was opened.

142
00:13:29,225 --> 00:13:32,644
Those were the two times
when he might have retired.

143
00:13:32,812 --> 00:13:37,607
After he was hospitalized, we weren't
sure he could continue working.

144
00:13:37,775 --> 00:13:40,193
How old were you when
you started training?

145
00:13:40,361 --> 00:13:42,529
I started when I was 19.

146
00:13:42,696 --> 00:13:44,280
You didn't like it at first?

147
00:13:44,448 --> 00:13:46,157
I hated it at first.

148
00:13:48,118 --> 00:13:52,872
For the first two years,
I wanted to run away.

149
00:13:55,042 --> 00:13:58,169
We can have them
sit here and here.

150
00:13:58,337 --> 00:14:01,840
But that way, Mr. Taniguchi
would have to sit at seat nine.

151
00:14:09,932 --> 00:14:12,433
Have these guests
on seats one, two and three.

152
00:14:12,601 --> 00:14:14,811
No, that won't work.

153
00:14:14,979 --> 00:14:20,024
It wouldn't be fair to the people
who reserved last year.

154
00:14:20,192 --> 00:14:24,821
Have them sit close together
to fit the other party.

155
00:14:26,323 --> 00:14:30,243
It's essential
to check every detail.

156
00:14:32,121 --> 00:14:35,582
What the staff might not notice,

157
00:14:35,749 --> 00:14:38,459
I notice because I have been
doing it for so long.

158
00:14:38,627 --> 00:14:42,922
I give them detailed
instructions on what to do.

159
00:14:43,090 --> 00:14:45,508
Working there wasn't easy.

160
00:14:45,676 --> 00:14:48,177
I worked for him
until he was 60.

161
00:14:48,345 --> 00:14:52,765
I wouldn't say he is eccentric.

162
00:14:52,933 --> 00:14:57,437
He just works
relentlessly every day.

163
00:14:57,605 --> 00:14:59,981
That's how shokunin are.

164
00:15:00,149 --> 00:15:04,027
The way of the shokunin is
to repeat the same thing every day.

165
00:15:04,194 --> 00:15:07,196
They just want to work.

166
00:15:07,364 --> 00:15:10,450
They aren't trying to be special.

167
00:15:10,618 --> 00:15:13,411
I could always tell
from his facial expressions

168
00:15:13,579 --> 00:15:15,872
if he was in a good mood
or a bad mood.

169
00:15:17,458 --> 00:15:19,792
And when it was best
not to bother him.

170
00:15:22,254 --> 00:15:24,172
Once your boss,
always your boss.

171
00:15:24,340 --> 00:15:26,132
Let's just say

172
00:15:26,300 --> 00:15:29,594
I don't sleep with my feet
in his direction.

173
00:15:35,809 --> 00:15:38,269
Remove the part
with tough meat.

174
00:15:45,527 --> 00:15:50,531
We'll age a small tuna
for about three days.

175
00:15:50,699 --> 00:15:54,911
We'll age a larger tuna
for up to 10 days.

176
00:15:55,079 --> 00:15:58,665
When you compare
fatty tuna and lean tuna,

177
00:15:58,832 --> 00:16:03,211
these days most people
prefer the taste of fat.

178
00:16:07,716 --> 00:16:12,512
Before World War II,
they used to cook fatty tuna.

179
00:16:12,680 --> 00:16:16,891
The taste of the fatty tuna
is simple and predictable.

180
00:16:17,059 --> 00:16:22,397
But the flavors of leaner cuts
are subtle and sophisticated.

181
00:16:33,784 --> 00:16:37,203
Each tuna has
its own unique taste,

182
00:16:37,371 --> 00:16:42,500
but it is the leaner meat that carries
the essence of the flavor.

183
00:16:50,801 --> 00:16:52,802
We can't buy just any tuna.

184
00:17:16,452 --> 00:17:20,246
The tuna vendor works
exclusively with tuna.

185
00:17:27,463 --> 00:17:29,380
Our shrimp vendor
only sells shrimp.

186
00:17:33,510 --> 00:17:36,679
Each vendor is
a specialist in his field.

187
00:17:36,847 --> 00:17:39,140
We are experts in sushi,

188
00:17:39,308 --> 00:17:45,021
but in each of their specialties,
the vendors are more knowledgeable.

189
00:17:45,189 --> 00:17:48,316
We've built up a relationship
of trust with them.

190
00:18:04,833 --> 00:18:07,376
Sushi was originally sold
from street stands.

191
00:18:07,544 --> 00:18:10,254
In New York, there are
food vendors on the street.

192
00:18:10,422 --> 00:18:12,840
Sushi was once served
the same way.

193
00:18:15,052 --> 00:18:17,220
It is said that
the "California" roll

194
00:18:17,387 --> 00:18:20,473
was invented
between 1983 and 1985.

195
00:18:22,392 --> 00:18:25,812
Sushi's popularity spread
quickly to New York...

196
00:18:27,314 --> 00:18:29,524
and then spread to Europe.

197
00:18:33,987 --> 00:18:37,949
In France, the first Michelin guide
was published in 1900.

198
00:18:38,117 --> 00:18:41,744
Michelin inspectors
look first for quality.

199
00:18:41,912 --> 00:18:43,496
Next they look for originality,

200
00:18:43,664 --> 00:18:45,998
and finally
they look for consistency.

201
00:18:46,166 --> 00:18:49,919
Jiro's restaurant easily
meets their standards.

202
00:18:50,087 --> 00:18:52,964
A perfect three-star
Michelin rating means

203
00:18:53,132 --> 00:18:55,049
it is worth making
a trip to that country

204
00:18:55,217 --> 00:18:58,094
just to eat at that restaurant.

205
00:18:58,262 --> 00:19:02,098
When Jiro got three stars,
everyone was astonished.

206
00:19:02,266 --> 00:19:05,143
There are only 10 seats there!
The restroom is outside the premises.

207
00:19:05,310 --> 00:19:07,895
There's not another three-star
restaurant in the world like that.

208
00:19:08,063 --> 00:19:10,565
But the Michelin
investigators say,

209
00:19:10,732 --> 00:19:12,608
"No matter how many times
you eat at Jiro's,

210
00:19:12,776 --> 00:19:15,319
the sushi there is incredible."
They said that three stars

211
00:19:15,487 --> 00:19:17,822
is the only rating adequate
for the restaurant.

212
00:19:17,990 --> 00:19:21,742
I've never had
a disappointing experience there.

213
00:19:21,910 --> 00:19:24,954
That's nothing short
of a miracle.

214
00:20:06,914 --> 00:20:08,915
The layout of this second
restaurant is different

215
00:20:09,082 --> 00:20:11,417
because I'm right-handed
and my father is left-handed.

216
00:20:11,585 --> 00:20:14,629
The interiors are reversed.

217
00:20:14,796 --> 00:20:17,924
The photo on the right
is Jiro's Sukiyabashi.

218
00:20:18,091 --> 00:20:19,592
This is my Roppongi.

219
00:20:19,760 --> 00:20:23,471
Together, they are symmetrical.

220
00:20:23,639 --> 00:20:25,473
My father's skill is incomparable.

221
00:20:25,641 --> 00:20:28,142
He's been making sushi
since before I was born,

222
00:20:28,310 --> 00:20:30,26